Peace thro' Patience

Reading: Psalm 4:1-8

"May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace

at all times and in every way" (2 Thess 3:16a)

Turbulence is the inevitable lot of impatient people. Even among Christian believers very few enjoy the peace of God "like a river." The Bible promises "perfect" peace to those whose mind is "stayed" or fixed steadily on God (Isa 26:3). The condition to enjoy such a peace is patiently "trusting" in the Lord. "Whoever believes will not act hastily" (Isa 28:16b).

If we are not enjoying peace in our own hearts, we cannot live in real peace with others. Social conflicts are invariably the result of unresolved inner conflicts in man. Whether it is prayers, puzzles, pain or problems, God's answer more often than we think is, "Wait!" The peace of God "surpasses all understanding" (Phil 4:7). Which means, we can enjoy the peace of God in spite of problems. Staying put and being patient is the secret.

"Glory to God in the Highest!"— This is only one half of the Christmas message. The other side of the coin is, "And on the earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Lk 2:14). Making peace with God can be done in an instant. But building relationships with people and maintaining them means time and labour. Reconciliation with people involves self-denial and patience with others. The Bible tells us, "When the ways of people please the Lord, He makes even their enemies live at peace with them" (Prov 16:7).

God has called us Christians to be salt and light, but we have lost our saltiness and brightness. Churches and Christian organisations have become the breeding ponds of hatred, rivalry and disunity. Peacemaking is not to start at national or international levels. It must begin in the family, the Church and the communities.

A distinguished mark of a child of God is that he would be a peacemaker (Mt 5:9). Peacebreakers outnumber peacemakers. God detests anyone "who sows discord among brothers" (Prov 6:19b). But we as God's people are to be coworkers with Him in the ministry of reconciling man with man. "Blessed are the peacemakers!"

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace!
Where there's hatred... let me sow love!
Where there's injury... pardon.
Where there's doubt...faith...
(St. Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226)

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Patience: NextMarch 8